Serpent's Tooth (37 page)

Martinez said, “Deck, I think
someone
would have noticed this real hit man.”

“Someone did, Bert,” Decker said. “Tess Wetzel noticed a second man. And maybe a few others did as well. But no one was
sure
. Because they were dressed similarly. And once the bullets start flying, you duck, close your eyes, and pray.”

Marge said, “So Harlan was a dupe.”

Decker said, “Just like Sean Amos. It’s Carey who’s the real psycho. Leading us to believe that he was in cahoots with Sean. When in reality Carey was collaborating with
Jeanine
. Which is why he struck a deal with us. Because he really did pop David Garrison. So he saved his butt by turning state’s witness against Sean, who didn’t have anything to do with it. Worked us
perfectly
, the little fuck!”

“You’re making logical leaps,” Webster said.

“’Course I’m making some leaps,” Decker answered. “But I’m also making some sense. You know what we’re going to do? Instead of going with Carey’s story, we’re going to
drop
the murder one charge against him. Try him on the drug charges alone. I’m going to find the nastiest antidrug judge in the court system. Someone who’ll lock that bastard up and throw away the key.”

“What about Sean?” Webster wanted to know.

“He’ll be tried on his drug charges, resisting arrest…probably get off light.”

“Stinks,” Webster said. “Carey’s deal gives the kid
seven
years in prison. If David Garrison was a contract hit with Jeanine as the brains behind the operation, Carey should have rolled over and given us Jeanine to save his own butt.”

Marge’s eyes grew wide. “He didn’t do that because he was beholden to Jeanine in a
big
way. As in Estelle’s—”

“Carey as Estelle’s
hit
man?” Webster shrugged. “Marge, where is the evidence?”

Decker said, “Lily Amos’s gun was stolen about two weeks before Estelle’s went down. We know we recovered more bullets than can be accounted for by the one gun we
recovered. And Carey’s weapon was a semi-automatic. Let’s go back to Ballistics.”

Martinez said, “Something is still bothering me. By all accounts, Jeanine got
along
with her parents. The woman had everything she wanted. Why would she whack her parents?”

Decker said, “From the start, we knew that Jeanine was dependent on Dad’s good graces to run her charities. David Garrison said that Daddy was getting tired of Jeanine’s tantrums. Maybe she figured out she couldn’t manipulate Daddy forever. Maybe Daddy actually stood up and told her
no
.”

“Even forgetting about
the admissibility of polygraphs as evidence…”

Elaine Reuter scratched a nest of curls, licked her prominent teeth with a snakelike tongue. She had a long face and wide eyes. Today, she wore a zebra-striped shirt under a black suit, reinforcing her equine features.

“Tell you the truth, I wouldn’t go to court on either one of these. Too murky.”

Decker said, “
Both
of them were inconclusive?”

“Both had what I’d call unusual reactions—not clearly lying but nervous.”

“How many questions did you ask?”

“Pertinent questions? Six. Which in this case is a lot. If I
had
to go with one, I’d pick Sean Amos. Talking to him…maybe he’s redeemable. I think he might be lying, but could be he’s very confused. Carey, on the other hand, is a hard case. I think he beat the test.”

Decker nodded.

Elaine said, “Don’t tell me. You dealt with Carey.”

“Yes, I went with Carey. But it doesn’t matter because we’re not going to charge him with murder.”

“You’ve got him on drugs, haven’t you?”

“Yep.”

“Then the kid’ll serve
some
time.” She smiled wanly. “Just probably turn him into a better psycho.”

“Probably.”

Elaine sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s always hard when the big one gets away.”

“The big one isn’t even in the picture.” Decker shrugged. “Damn shame. But life goes on.”

The chill of fall tickled Decker’s nose as he got out of the unmarked. The air smelled sweet—fresh, cool, and slightly mulchy from fallen flora. Evening mist blanketed his face. Though tired—having slept only three hours in the last two days—he nevertheless felt content. Life was good. He took a final whiff, then checked his watch. He had made it to his front door before six.

The house held the aroma of home cooking and love. The dining-room table had been set for dinner. Included was a place mat for him. That made him smile. He walked into the kitchen, expecting to find his wife. Instead, he found his daughter, his sons, and Joachim Rush sitting around the small kitchen table, playing Scrabble. Rush had brought along a girl. A pint-size thing who looked to be around fourteen. She had long blond hair and hazel eyes. Not a drop of makeup. She was also the first one who graced him with a smile. Decker smiled back.

Cindy stood, nodded, looking very policelike and official. “Hello, sir.”

Decker nodded. “Officer Cohen…”

Sam looked up. “You need anything, Dad?”

“No, I’m fine. Where’s your mom?”

“Out in the barn with Hannah.”

The horses. Guilt pricking his skin. It had been a while since Decker had taken time to exercise and feed them. Rina had picked up the slack. He thought about joining her. In a minute. He said, “I thought the game was for four maximum.”

“I’m just kibitzing,” the girl answered. She introduced herself as Allison Berg.

Joachim said, “Have a seat, sir.”

Decker regarded the teen. “You think it’s a good idea for you to be here, Joachim?”

“Probably not.”

“I invited him,” Cindy said. “He was feeling a little antsy after the bust so I took him out for a ride. We wound up here. I hope that’s not a problem.”

“No, not at all.”

“Did everything go okay?” Joachim asked. “I mean with the bust? No one at school could concentrate on anything else today. That’s all anyone could talk about. Rumor has it that the haul was tremendous. And that Carey’ll be gray before he sees the light of day. Any of that true?”

“It was a good tip,” Decker said. “A very good tip and a good bust. But it’s not in your best interests to be associated with the police. Let alone at my house. For your own sake.”

The boy tried to hide his nervousness. “No one mentioned me, right?”

“No, Joachim. Your name never came up.”

The teen looked relieved. Cindy said, “C’mon, Joachim. I’ll take you home.”

Decker turned to his daughter, “A word with you, Officer?” They stepped into the dining room. Decker said, “He call you or did you call him?”

“He called me. He was really nervous, Daddy. I was worried he’d do something stupid. Blurt out something. So I suggested we go for a ride to talk it out. To calm him down actually. I figured I owed him that much.”

“You did the right thing. Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he seems to be fine now.”

“I’ll keep a watch on him. Thanks.”

“No one mentioned his name?”

“Nah, he wasn’t even in the viewfinder, let alone in the picture.”

“You look frustrated.”

“Tired.”

“Maybe tired and frustrated. You didn’t get her.”

“All things come to those who wait. And if you wait long enough, you die so it doesn’t matter anyway.”

“Love that optimistic attitude.”

The front door opened, Rina came in, Hannah tugging at her arm, giving one of her famous four-year-old lectures.
She saw her father and Hannah jumped into his arms. “Daddy! We fed the horses!”

“That’s great.”

“They ate a lot. Their tummies were reeeeal full.”

“Good to have a full tummy.”

Rina brushed his lips. “You’re home. How wonderful!” She looked at her stepdaughter. “How’s the game going?”

“I’m leaving with Joachim.”

“Are you coming back for dinner?”

“Not tonight, Rina. But thank you.” She went back into the kitchen.

Decker plopped his younger daughter on top of his shoulders. Hannah said, “We found garbage outside, Daddy.”

He turned to Rina. “Is that good or bad?”

“Garbage is packing peanuts. She collects them, then glues them onto paper for her artwork. I wonder if Warhol started this way.”

“So it’s a good thing to find garbage.”

“Very good.”

“I found four garbages,” Hannah continued.

“Wonderful, Hannah Rosie. I’m very proud of you.” Decker paused. “If Cindy came with Joachim…who’s the girl in our kitchen?”

“Allison Berg. She goes to the yeshiva’s high school with the boys—I mean, the girls’ section of the boys’ school…I’m getting this wrong—”

“Rina, I know that the boys and girls are in separate classes.” A smile formed on Decker’s lips. “Obviously not that separate. Sammy bring her?”

“No, Jacob did.”

“
Jacob?
” Decker grinned. “No wonder he was so motivated to move.”

“Behave yourself.”

“Why? That never got me anywhere.”

The kitchen door opened and out came the wordsmiths. Sammy held the car keys. “I’m taking everyone home. Be back in around a half hour.”

“No longer, Shmuel,” Rina said. “I’m sure your father’s hungry.”

“I can wait. But not too long.” Decker held out his hand to Joachim. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Got it.”

“Half hour,” Rina reiterated. Sammy nodded, then left with his brother, Allison, and Joachim.

Cindy removed the keys from her purse, kissed Hannah’s baby-soft thigh. “Couldn’t you just eat her—”

“Noooo, don’t eat me.”

“It’s a metaphor, kid.” Cindy smiled. “Gotta go…oh, Grandma called.”

“What did she want?” Decker asked, anxiously.

Cindy chuckled. “The message was for Rina, Daddy. She said she’s bringing her own corn, squash, green beans, and pumpkin for Thanksgiving dinner next week. So don’t waste your money and buy them.”

“That’s a direct quote?” Rina said.

“Indeed it is.” Cindy blew a kiss to Hannah. The tot touched her fingers to pouty lips and returned the gesture. Waving, Cindy walked out the door.

Decker waited a moment, then said, “We have groceries here. Do you know how much a pumpkin weighs?”

“She probably grew the vegetables in her garden,” Rina said. “If it makes her feel good and useful to bring them, I say, more power to her.”

“Agreed.”

Silence.

Rina said, “I’m sure if anything was serious, she would have told us by now.”

“Not true. She could be on her deathbed and say straight-faced that everything was fine.”

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”

Decker nodded, helpless and anxious.

Though upset, Rina spoke in a cheery voice. “Good news. Your brother’s wife called this morning. Randy managed to trade shifts so they’re all coming out as well. Looks like we’ll have a full house next week.”

Decker said, “Oh, happy days!”

“They’re your relatives!” Rina took off her coat, put it in the closet. “Also, I invited Marge for dinner. She said she’d love to come, but she already promised Scott Oliver that she’d have Thanksgiving with him. So I was kind of stuck. I invited him, too.”

“Why don’t we just open up a mission and dish out turkey to indigents?”

“It’s not a bad idea. Giving a little charity when we have so much.”

“Saint Rina.”

She whacked him gently. “And while you’re feeling so ebullient, I might as well tell you that we’ve received a counter offer—”

“So fast?”

“He’s motivated.”

“I’m sure he is. He found a sucker—”

“Peter—”

“Did he come down?”

“He split the difference—”

“It’s too much!”

“Peter—”

“All right, just give me the papers and I’ll sign the damn thing.” He remembered he was holding Hannah. “The darn thing. I’ll sign the
darn
thing. How about a video, pumpkin?”

The child’s face lit up. “I want to watch
Wonderful World of Bugs
. You watch it with me, Daddy?”

Decker stifled a groan. She’d seen the tape a hundred times, feasting with delight on such gruesome visuals as a hill of ants devouring dead beetles and a Venus flytrap snaring its unsuspecting victim in cold blood. “I’ll come watch in a few minutes. First I want to talk to Mommy, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Take off her coat, Peter. I don’t want her to get overheated.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Decker set up the machine, placed the child—sans jacket—in front of the boob tube, waited for the ominous theme music to start. As soon as it did, Hannah squealed with joy. Then came the credits with pictures. The
child sang out, “There’s the beetle. And there’s the mill-i-pede. Oh, Daddy, the little praying mantis. He’s so
cute
—”

“I’ll be right back, sweetie—”

“Look, Daddy, the hissing cockroach!”

“Lovely, Hannah. I’ll come watch in a minute.” Decker went into the kitchen where Rina was putting the finishing touches on dinner. He said, “That child is strange.”

“She likes bugs. You should be delighted she isn’t squeamish.”

“Thrilled.”

Rina regarded her husband. “It didn’t go well, did it?”

“On the contrary, the bust went very well. We took a nasty kid off the streets and that’s very good.”

Rina paused, “And Jeanine?”

Decker shrugged. “God works in mysterious ways. Who am I to judge?”

“So she’s a lost cause?”

Decker said, “I have a glimmer of hope. Ballistics is running a gun we picked up at the bust. I want to see if it matches any of the strays we bagged at Estelle’s. I don’t expect anything.” He paused. “I never expect anything. That way, I’m rarely disappointed.”

Slowly, Marge walked into Decker’s office. He hung up the phone, offered her a seat and a newspaper. “She’s taking it on the road.”

“Pardon?”

“To wit: Today’s sports section. The wheelchair tournament was so successful, she’s taking it on the road with Wade.” Decker waited a beat. “The article refers to Wade as her
fiancé
. Think I should send him a card?”

“Not unless it’s for sympathy.”

Decker laughed softly. “Anyway, you’re just the woman I was looking for. You’re coming over on Thursday, aren’t you?”

“Of course. What can I bring?”

“You’re bringing Scott. I think that’s enough—”

“Pete, what could I do—”

“Nah, I’m just teasing you. Bring some flowers.”
Decker looked her in the eye. “Before you come, let’s get one thing straight. My mother’s going to be there—”

“Really?” Marge grinned. “This should be very interesting—”

“And my brother,” Decker said. “You or Scotty breathe a word of anything that has to do with my youth, your jobs are on the line.”

Marge laughed, then grew serious. Tossed the paper on his desk.

“What?” Decker asked.

She said, “Not the kind of news you were hoping for before a holiday, but…Ballistics called. They couldn’t find anything—”

Decker hit his desk. “They couldn’t have tested everything! Not
that
fast.”

“No, they just picked out a couple of random samples—”

“A
couple
of random samples—”

“Pete—”

“A
couple
? As in
two
?”

“Maybe a few more than that—”

“Marge, we recovered over a hundred bullets.”

She sighed. “Look, Scott and I worked our butts off. Pressured them to move for us especially because of the holiday week. This was the best we could do.”

Decker counted to ten. “You did great. I couldn’t have done any better.”

“Pete, we can press it. But I don’t know how much good it’ll do. You know how slowly the wheels turn over there.”

Decker nodded. The state crime labs were in sorry shape—backlogged and understaffed. Innocent people languished in jail, hardcase criminals were prematurely released because the labs didn’t have the manpower to process the evidence fast enough for court-date trials. A case like Estelle’s—two months old with an established perpetrator—was very low priority.

Decker said, “We’ve got time. We can wait for them to finish the job.”

“Good, ’cause it’s likely to take months, maybe years.”

Decker cursed under his breath. “Maybe we should consider a private lab.”

“Believe it or not, I checked into it. It’s really expensive. I just don’t have that kind of money lying around.”

Decker thought of his newly purchased shack lying on a small plot of forest grounds. Unless he got it together, it was going to remain a shack. “Neither do I.”

“Time to move on.” Marge shrugged. “We tried our best. Nothing else we can do.”

“We can wait for a miracle.”

Marge chuckled, “Sure. Let’s wait for a miracle. Won’t cost me money, I can’t get pregnant from it, and most important, it won’t put any fat on my hips.”